Chapter 21
Author's notes:
Finally I was able to write this chapter. I have no idea why it was so hard. Maybe I ran out of ideas on how to write this, but I'm just happy to make progress. I hope I finally get to pick up more momentum again.
As usual translations are found at the bottom.
(Amagi Inn(Yukiko's room). June 26th. Evening)
Despite their tight schedule because of the group that arrived. Yukiko and Viljam found time to study. Chie was also with them as promised.
"URRGH. Why does this have to be so hard," Chie complained about the problem she was trying to solve.
"Chie, we've gone over this already," Yukiko said, though how she remained patient was beyond Viljam.
"Sorry about this," Viljam apologized out of nowhere.
"For what?" Yukiko asked utterly confused.
"You have your hands full with helping Chie-san and I. A normal person would be fuming by now," Viljam said. Chie hated being reminded of needing help, but she had to admit that Viljam had a point about Yukiko's patience.
"It's what friends are for," Yukiko said with a smile. "It's not your fault that you have it rougher than most," Yukiko said while patting Viljam's head.
"Why do I have to be so dumb," Chie mumbled under her breath. Viljam has a genuine learning disorder and he's still doing better than the green clad girl. Not drastically but still.
"I guess I should count myself lucky that my brain isn't as defective as some people had," Viljam sighed.
"What do you mean by that," Chie asked a little curious about the wording Viljam used.
"It's nothing important, let's just focus on studying," Viljam said dismissively. "Uhh...Yukiko, how do I read this," Viljam asked after noticing a kanji he doesn't recognize. Yukiko took a quick look at what Viljam meant before explaining how it's read. After that Viljam checked his phone for something before nodding in satisfaction.
"Why are you checking your phone," Chie asked out of curiosity. Viljam had been fumbling with his phone every so often while studying and that made the green clad girl curious.
"My phone has a dictionary for Japanese language. It works by either building a kanji or using romaji(1)," VIljam explained.
"Oh. How often do you use it," Chie asked again.
Viljam gave the girl a look. "I thought you saw me using it nearly every five seconds," Viljam said.
"Shut up!" was the only retort Chie could come up with.
At Chie's exclamation Yukiko actually laughed. Not like her laughing fits but pretty close. Then Viljam joined his host-sister in the laughing.
"Not funny," Chie said, clearly annoyed.
"*Ehhehe*Sorry, but you're just*kihhihihii* cute," Viljam said between laughs.
Chie wasn't sure if she should feel flustered or angry. She settled with flustered anger. "Would you just shut up already," Chie said with a raised voice.
That made Viljam shut up. "Sorry," Viljam apologized. "But you're just so cute sometimes," the Finnish defended his actions.
Chie almost blushed at the compliment, but then she caught onto the wording Viljam used. "What do you mean 'sometimes'," Chie asked taking some offense.
Viljam opened his mouth to answer, before he had a thoughtful look. "Good question. You're always cute," Viljam said causing Chie's face to go blank.
"Wait a minute, if I'm always cute then why did you say sometimes," Chie asked in disbelief.
Viljam gave a shrug at that. "Momentary lapse in thinking guess. I mean right now you were especially cute," Viljam said with a straight face that Chie was pretty sure didn't belong to him.
"That doesn't even make sense," the green clad girl said getting frustrated with Viljam's weird thought pattern.
At this moment Yukiko started laughing again, earning questioning looks from the two. "*ahhahah* This conversation is*ehhhehe* ridiculous," Yukiko managed to say between laughs.
"Kinda is," Viljam admitted as Yukiko's laughter slowly infected him.
When Viljam too was reduced to a laughing mess, Chie face-palmed. "I hate you two so much right now," the green clad girl mumbled. "Now why don't you be a good boy and just shut up," the green clad girl said as calmly as she could.
At those words Viljam froze for a moment. Then he turned his head away from the girls to hide the color that was rising to his cheeks.
Yukiko stopped laughing at seeing Viljam's behavior. "What's wrong, Nousku-kun," Yukiko asked.
"Just give me a moment," Viljam said, before he started clapping his cheeks to gather his thoughts. "Okay I'm fine now," the Finnish boy said and turned to face the girls again.
"Was it something I said," Chie asked in curiosity.
"It's nothing," Viljam said dismissively, or at least tried to sound like it.
"Why is your face red," Chie asked in suspicion. Viljam did gather his thougths, but unfortunately his face didn't reach normal color yet. Actually now that Chie pointed it out, Viljam's face became redder.
Viljam did a split second decision. "What you said before sounded too close to what Yosuke manipulated into my head," Viljam admitted before Chie got the wrong idea.
Now Yukiko blushed too at the implications of what kind of dream would make him blush. "W-what kind of dream did he...," Yukiko stuttered unable to finish that sentence.
Chie on the other hand saw red. "Did Hanamura make you imagine Rise showing everything," Chie asked dangerously. Earning a quick shake of the head from Viljam. Unfortunately Chie didn't buy it. " Nuh-uh. Now either you tell me everything or you'll get punished too," Chie threatened, causing Viljam to shrink away in fear.
"Chie stop it," Yukiko shouted before pulling Viljam into a comforting hug. "You can't take your anger for Hanamura-kun at Nousku-kun," Yukiko said while patting Viljam's back comfortingly.
Chie's anger was replaced by guilt. Sure Viljam's dream might've involved something inappropriate, but that's because Yosuke manipulated the poor boy's dreams. "Sorry," was all Chie was able to say. "But I still need to punish Hanamura tomorrow," Chie said with a dangerous tone.
(Hanamura dining room. Roughly the same time)
Yosuke felt a sudden chill down his spine, which made him visibly shiver.
"What's wrong Yosuke-chan," Yosuke's mother asked noticing her son shivering.
"I don't know. I just felt like something bad is about to happen," Yosuke said with worry and fear.
(Back in Amagi Inn)
"Umm. Chie-san. As much as I don't like Yosuke right now, can you wait until after we rescue Rise," Viljam asked carefully. "I mean, he is more useful than I am," the Finnish boy added.
Chie scoffed at that." Don't sell yourself so short," Chie said, before moving to pat Viljam's head. This caused Yukiko to giggle. "What," Chie asked, confused at her friend's laughing.
"And you said he's bad influence on me," Yukiko said with a snicker.
"Hey," was the only thing Chie was able to say.
Viljam on the other hand was confused. "What do you mean I'm bad influence?".
"Chie said that you have bad influence on me with your-mph," Yukiko's answer was cut off when Chie clamped her hand over her best friend's mouth.
"I-it's n-nothing," Chie stuttered. "Y-yukiko's just saying her own things," the green clad girl tried to play it off. Judging by the suspicious look Viljam was giving her, it wasn't working.
"Why do I feel the need to ask: How stupid do you think I am," Viljam deadpanned. This caused an awkward silence from Chie.
The silence was broken by Yukiko's muffled protests. Chie glanced at her best friend to realize her hands were still on Yukiko's mouth. Chie reluctantly let go. "Chie says you're bad influence on me for hugging me and patting people's heads," Yukiko finished what she wanted to say before.
This earned a blanched look from Viljam. "First: Last I checked I only hug Yukiko. Second: I only pat Yukiko's head," Viljam said like Chie's claims were weird. "Is it customary to be distant," Viljam asked, earning confused looks from the girls.
"What do you mean," Yukiko asked curiously.
"Because I've heard that any form of physical contact is considered public indecency in Japan," Viljam asked. At this both girls looked at each other before bursting into laughter due to how ridiculous that sounded. "What," Viljam asked the laughing girls, but the girls were too busy laughing to answer. "WHAT!? What's so funny," Viljam asked, getting increasingly embarrassed at possibly saying something very dumb.
"You're so cute sometimes too," Chie said as a retort to Viljam's previous words.
"What does that have to do with anything," Viljam asked totally unamused.
"Come on don't be so sensitive," Chie said clearly amused. "It's immature," the green clad girl added.
Viljam blinked at the words. "I'm so tempted to respond to that, but I value my life too much," the Finnish boy deadpanned.
Before Chie could demand a clarification, Yukiko remembered to check the clock in her room. "Chie, shouldn't you be going home about now," Yukiko reminded after seeing the time.
"Huh? ACK! It's already this late," Chie exclaimed and quickly gathered her things.
Viljam took a quick glance at Chie's open notebook before it was swiped away. "That whole page was wrong," Viljam said, earning a light slap from Yukiko, who had a stern look. "I know it was uncalled for, but I couldn't help it," Viljam said simply.
Chie didn't like her mistakes being pointed out, but she had to get home fast before the curfew, otherwise her parents will chew her out. "See you two tomorrow," Chie said before running off.
Viljam too got up to return to his room. "Where do you think you're going," Yukiko asked a little too sweetly for Viljam's liking.
"Umm..My family is expecting me for another video update," Viljam said nervously.
Yukiko let out a disappointed sigh. "Fine, but we're going to work on your studying later," Yukiko said, to which the Finnish boy nodded. Yukiko wouldn't have let that excuse fly if it wasn't the condition for letting the Finnish boy stay here from his parents. According to Viljam's words: "If I don't update them weekly, they're going to have me returned in a box if they must.". The Amagi girl shook her head at those thoughts. Surely Viljam's parents wouldn't have their son sent back to them in a tiny box.
(TV World. June 27th. After school)
Yosuke felt a little paranoid all day. Occasionally he felt like someone was directing murderous intent at him, but when he looked around he didn't see anything wrong.
"Guys I think something wants to kill me," Yosuke said after feeling the murderous intent for the umpteenth time.
"Not you too," Kanji complained. "When Viljam-senpai feels better, someone else gets paranoid," the punk said with a sigh. It was true Viljam felt less scared about entering here than last time, but the Finnish boy was still a little jumpy.
"Actually Yosuke has a bit of a right to be scared," Viljam decided to pipe up, earning questioning looks from all but the girls.
"What do you mean," Yu asked curiosly.
Viljam had a mischievous look. "Let's just say he will have his divine punishment once we're done here," was all the Finnish said.
"Dude if this is about what I whispered in your ear then I'm sorry," Yosuke said, thinking that the murderous intent came from Viljam.
Viljam gave a smile at Yosuke. "Relax, I don't have a grudge," Viljam said dismissively.
"Umm... Guys if Yosuke is scared then maybe we should escort him back," Teddie said out of nowhere.
"HEY!" Yosuke exclaimed in protest earning laughs from others.
(A little later)
Everyone just climbed a set of stairs to the next floor. Though they had to go to the fox to get some healing leaves so they could keep going.
"These shadows are really starting to get annoying," Yosuke complained. The shadows here loved to use ailments to hamper them. Even with Viljam using Tentarafoo to even the odds they still had problems.
"Yeah. Why can't they just be straight on battlers," Kanji added.
"Because that would be too easy," Viljam deadpanned.
Yu sighed at Viljam's comment." I wish you were joking, but you might be onto something," the silverhaired boy said.
Suddenly the lights turned off, surprising everyone. One of them even gave a high pitched shriek, causing everyone to turn towards the sound. After their eyes adjusted, they were able to see Yukiko next to Viljam.
"Did you just scream like a girl," Yukiko asked Viljam who was wishing to be swallowed by the floor now.
"...yes," Viljam admitted with a barely audible voice, since there was no point in hiding it.
"Oh, sorry about the lights," Rise's cheerful voice sounded suddenly, putting everyone on guard. "But I'm still a little embarrassed, so I had to turn them off," the voice said coyly.
Teddie's eyes widened. "If she turned off the lights then that means...," Teddie trailed off before turning towards Yu. "S-sensei, am I about to climb the stairway to adulthood," Teddie asked with way too much enthusiasm for anyone's liking.
"Uhh...," Yu stammered, for he had no idea what to answer.
"Really Ted?" Yosuke deadpanned. " I don't think it's anything like that," the Junes boy added earning various sounds of agreement.
"Uhh.. Like what," it was Kanji who asked that, earning a facepalm from Yosuke.
"Nothing important, let's move on," Yu said quickly before ushering everyone to move.
Unbeknownst to others, Viljam let out a breath he had been holding. Thank god for Rise's voice saving him from further embarrassment.
"Are you scared of dark," Yukiko whispered, crushing Viljam's hope of no one remembering his...slip up.
Viljam leaned in to whisper back," It's not that I'm scared, but the sudden absence of vision in a hostile area scared me.".
Yukiko nodded at Viljam's reasoning. It did make sense, except..."Did it scare you so much that it made you scream," Yukiko then asked innocently and quietly.
Viljam slumped at that, before nodding. "Sorry," Viljam apologized. Yukiko just smiled at her guest-brother before patting his head affectionately.
"What're you two whispering about," asked Kanji bringing the two back to their friends.
"Just sibling stuff," Yukiko answered quickly, this unfortunately earned some suspicious looks from others.
"You two aren't really siblings, you know that, right," Chie said, still not liking the image of Viljam as Yukiko's brother. That made Yukiko look down a little.
"Chie-san don't be a killjoy," Viljam scolded, which earned a laugh from Yosuke and Yu.
Not wanting to embarrass herself further, Chie clammed up while glaring at the Finnish boy. With that everyone moved on in the dark.
(Later)
"GAHH!" Viljam cried after being hit by a Bufudyne from a tank-like shadow. Thankfully he was resistant to ice, but it still dealt massive damage. "Tuo kostetaan!" Viljam shouted before summoning Louhi to fire a Bufula. Unfortunately they had used every single attack they knew and it seemed like this shadow doesn't have a weakness.
"RAMPAGE!" Chie called out the attack which dealt good damage on the tank and another coffin like shadow. The coffin responded by using Old One. Only Kanji and Yu were affected, but Yukiko quickly used Amrita to restore them.
"Pyro Jack!" Yu called out and the lantern wielding pumpkin head fired a Maragion from it's lantern.
"Go Take Mikazuchi!" Kanji called out his persona, who fired a Zionga at the tank Finishing it off.
"Let's do this Jiraiya!" Yosuke shouted and his persona who fired a Garula, effectively finishing the coffin shadow.
Yukiko used Media to heal everyone, before they moved on.
"Seriously! They had a frigging tank," Yosuke complained while stretching his arms.
"Can we take a break," Viljam asked while breathing a heavily. "My lungs hurt," Viljam added while clutching the general area of the said organ.
Everyone agreed to take a short break. Although they were worried about Viljam being able to continue, the Finnish boy assured them that once his breathing settled he can continue.
(Even more later)
After Viljam was able to breathe easily again, the gang had moved on. Now they were in front of a door, from where they heard Rise giggling. Yu turned towards the others." Guys, be ready for anything," Yu warned them. At everyone giving various nods of confirmation, they moved in.
They entered a large room with Rise's shadow waiting in the middle. "It's my first time. Please be gentle," the shadow said before the lights turned back on. To everyone's shock Rise's shadow was replaced by an enormous snake.
The shadow instantly lunged at the party, who scattered out of the way.
Kanji quickly smacked the thing with his foldable chair. To which the snake responded by releasing some sort of gas. on everyone.
"It increased the chance of inflicting ailments. Be careful," Teddie warned everyone.
"That doesn't sound good," Yu said before firing a Zionga with Izanagi.
As if responding to Yu's words the snake used Virus Wave, poisoning Chie, Yukiko and Kanji. Though Yukiko quickly used Amrita. At the same time Viljam used Tentarafoo, but it had no effect.
"Why is it, that whenever we need them the most, my ailments don't work," Viljam vented his frustration.
"That's a billion yen question," Yu said before having Pyro Jack use Agilao. The shadow was actually knocked down.
"It's beary weak to fire," Teddie cheered. Not only that but because it was downed, everyone had an evil smile.
"Everyone! Pile on," Yu ordered and everyone did just that. Kanji and Chie repeatedly smashed/kicked it's head. Yu, Yosuke and Viljam slashed at it with their respective weapons. Yukiko too smacked it with her fan, which did more damage than common sense allows. Soon enough the snake shook everyone off, before staring them all down.
"Yukiko," Viljam called his host-sister with a mischievous look. Yukiko nodded and the two performed Twin Arcana. The shadow was dissolved by the multicolored flames.
"That's it?" Chie asked sounding disappointed. "That big and it couldn't even take a hit," the green clad girl added.
"Yeah, you'd think it would at least put up a fight," Kanji pitched in. "Well the bigger they are the harder they fall," the punk said while flexing his arms.
At Kanji's words Viljam started to laugh. "*ehhehee* Says the biggest *kihhih* guy in the group," the Finnish boy managed to say between laughs. Yukiko's face lit up in realization and then she too started laughing. When Kanji needed to subdue Viljam the day before yesterday, it was revealed that Kanji was maybe a few centimetres taller than Viljam.
"HEY!" Kanji cried in protest.
"Well I prefer this over the annoying opponents we had to face up until now," Yosuke pitched in, ignoring the three's antics. "But where do we go now, this place is a dead end," Yosuke said after looking around. True enough the only door in this room was the one they entered from.
"There was that door we couldn't open earlier," Yu pointed out. "We should check if it's open now," the silverhaired boy added.
"Yeah let's go," Yosuke said, remembering the door that they saw right after they left the stairs. Then he frowned as he checked the two who were still laughing. "As soon as those two stop laughing," the Junes boy sighed.
After a few moments Viljam and Yukiko stopped laughing and the team moved on.
(Even later)
The team had reached the floor where Teddie said that Rise is.
"Is everyone alright," Yu asked his team. They might've been close to Rise now, but he had to be sure that they were able to take on Rise's Shadow if needed. Everyone nodded firmly.
"Good to go," Viljam voiced for everyone.
"Let's do this then," Yu said, before opening the door and entering a large circular room with a pole in the middle of a stage.
"There it is," Chie said while pointing at Rise's shadow that was standing on the stage.
"The real one's here too," Yosuke pointed out. Sure enough the real Rise was also there not far from the shadow.
As the gang approached the stage, the shadow turned it's attention to them with a laugh. "They're all watching! All eyes are on me now," the shadow said with a creepy smile.
"Stop it!" the real Rise cried.
That caused the shadow to turn it's attention to Rise. "Aww. What's the matter," the shadow asked with mock concern. "You wanna show your stuff, don'tcha," the shadow mocked. "How's this," The shadow then said. before it started pole dancing.
The guys of the team had various reactions to this. Yosuke was mesmerized by the shadows dancing. Yu gritted his teeth while glancing at the real Rise in concern. Kanji's face went red. And Viljam...was covering his eyes.
"Please...stop this," Rise pleaded, not wanting to see herself like this.
The shadow chuckled at Rise's words. "She want's me to stop? As if that's even close to what you're thinking you little skank," the shadow mocked Rise with a hateful tone at the latter sentence. "You're me and obviously I'm you," the shadow then said, ringing warning bells in the gang's heads.
"We gotta stop this before that thing goes berserk," Yosuke said quickly. Before even waiting for the others to respond Yosuke tried jumping on the stage. Only to faceplant into an invisible wall.
"What? A wall," Chie asked in disbelief.
"Lemme handle this," Kanji said before smacking the invisible wall, but it didn't do anything. "Dammit! Take Mikazuchi!" Kanji summoned his persona to destroy the wall, but even Take's brute strength didn't break it.
"Does this mean, we can't stop this," Yukiko asked with worry.
While the gang realized that they couldn't get through this wall, Rise's shadow had continued it's taunting.
"Come on look! You can't turn your eyes away! This is me this is who I really am," the shadow taunted again. "Not Risette the fake celebrity! Look at the girl right in front of you," the shadow continued. "I'm sick of being some airheaded cliche who chokes down everything she's fed and takes it all with a smile," the shadow ranted. "Risette? Who the hell is she? There's no such person in this world," the shadow continued.
"So it was true," Yu muttered earning the rest of the team's attention. "She really was worried about her 'real' self," the silver-haired boy said.
"I guess she got tired of people not seeing her for her," Viljam said surprising everyone at his observation.
"I'm no one but myself. Come on look at me," the shadow taunted Rise again.
"That's not- I," Rise stuttered unable to think straight.
The shadow gained a wicked grin. " Well then, I guess it's time to prove it. I'm gonna show all off," the shadow said, causing the gang to have wide eyes. Except Viljam covered his own again, expecting the worst. "Let my naked truth be burned into your brains," the shadow said, while tugging at it's bikini straps like it was about to take it off.
"STOP IT!" Rise yelled. "You're...".
"Don't say it!" Chie yelled, knowing what Rise was about to say. They all did.
"You're not me!" Rise yelled at her shadow.
At this the shadow started to laugh maniacally. "Here it comes! Now I can finally be myself," The shadow cheered, before it transformed. The form it took was a large female figure with different neon colors. It had Rise's hair and what looked like a satellite dish for a face.
"Tch. Here we go," Kanji said and with that everyone prepared for battle.
Yosuke quickly swiped his hand over the area where the invisible wall was. "Guys! The wall is gone! We can move in now," Yosuke informed everyone and they moved in.
"Teddie, we'll leave Rise-chan to you," Yukiko said to the bear, who gave a salute and prepared to move Rise away from the shadow the moment it was distracted.
"I am a shadow. The true self," Shadow Rise said. "And now, the moment you have all been waiting for. I'm going to show every last inch of myself," the shadow said seductively. "And for our guest in the front... I'll give you extra-special service," The shadow added.
"WHAT! Does that thing have a thing for you, partner," Yosuke exclaimed. Because out of all of them, Yu was the one that was in the front. Needless to say, Yu was a little disturbed at a monster liking him.
"And maybe for the cute one in the back," the shadow added out of nowhere, which made Viljam squeak in fear. After all he was currently the furthest in the back.
"No thanks," Viljam said nervously.
"Was I like this too...," Kanji asked wondering about his own shadow when it went berserk. "Oh man," the punk said.
"Less talking, more shadow whooping," Chie exclaimed before summoning Tomoe to swipe at the shadow. The shadow narrowly avoided the attack, only to be struck by Izanagi.
"Konohana Sakuya!" Yukiko called out her persona to cast Agilao.
"Louhi! Rakunda!" Viljam called his persona to lower the shadows defenses.
"Jiraiya! Garula!" Yosuke called out taking advantage of the damage.
"Gdon! Power Charge!" Yu called out, charging up.
"Kill Rush!" Kanji called out.
"This is easy," Chie said, seeing the damage they had done to the shadow so far.
"Ohhoho. Maybe you're looking for an experience that's a little more intense," the shadow laughed before sending a green light at them.
Everyone prepared to block whatever this was, but after the light passed them, nothing happened.
"Uhh. What just happened," Kanji questioned.
"Nothing happened to any of you," Teddie called from behind the stage, where he had also moved Rise.
"Well then, let's finish this quickly," Yukiko said, before firing another Agilao, but the shadow dodged it. "Huh?" Yukiko exclaimed.
Kanji sent a Zionga at the shadow, but it danced around it. " The heck!".
"Entäs tämä," Viljam said as Louhi cast a Bufula, but the results were the same.
Izanagi then tried to slash the shadow, only to have it's blade caught between the shadows palms. While the thing was upside-down no less.
"Time for my counter attack," the shadow said before using Garu against Izanagi, knocking the persona away and by extension Yu.
"Nousku-kun," Yukiko shouted. Viljam didn't need to know what the girl was thinking.
"Let's do it," the Finnish boy exclaimed before moving to perform Twin Arcana. However as soon as their personas appeared, Shadow Rise used both Agi and Bufu against them, effectively stopping them.
"Yukiko! Nousku-kun," Chie cried in concern. "You're so dead," the girl shouted before rushing in and attempted to kick the shadow. Only for the thing to do a flip on the pole it was dancing on and kicking Chie away.
"Teddie what's going on," Yosuke shouted at the bear. "Why can't we hit that thing anymore?".
"I don't know," the bear said in panick. The poor bear has been wracking his head for an answer but nothing came up.
"That light," Yu muttered. "It started avoiding our attacks when it used it," the silverhaired boy said. Yu quickly switched personas, but before the fearless leader could even launch an attack, Shadow Rise struck him with the very weakness that particular persona had.
"Narukami-kun!(Senpai!)" Chie, Yukiko and Kanji shouted in unison.
"It hit Yu-san's weakness, before he even summoned it," Viljam said in disbelief.
Yu got up with some difficulty. "Everyone, we must attack it simultaneously," the silverhaired boy said quickly. With those words, everyone summoned their personas, hoping that at least one of them could get a hit in.
Shadow Rise giggled, before unleashing six attacks simultaneously, each of the attribute their targets were weak against. Now the entire party was downed. "One more," the shadow announced before attacking again. This time everyone tried to dodge out of the way, but the attacks were aimed at the very spot they moved to. This time they were actually flung off the stage.
"Guys!" Teddie cried in panic.
Everyone got up, but they were not exactly okay.
"Urgh. We can't hit it, we can't dodge! How're we supposed to win," Chie shouted in frustration.
"It's like it knows our every move," Yosuke added in.
The shadow released the light it used earlier.
"That power," Teddie said. "I think it's scanning us. Oh no this is not good," the bear whimpered.
"When you say, 'not good' what exactly does that mean," Kanji asked, not liking what the bear was implying.
"Analysis complete," Shadow Rise suddenly cheered. "See if you can dodge this," the shadow mocked before releasing another attack that hit all of the gangs weaknesses. Although Yukiko was able to use Mediarama to heal them, they were still hurt even worse.
"This isn't... fair," Viljam said, unable to stand anymore.
"A-are we... going to die," Yukiko asked in fear.
Teddie became even more panicked. "NO! You guys can't die!" the bear cried in distress. "I don't want to be alone again," Teddie wailed.
Yu turned towards Teddie. "Teddie, take Rise and get out of here," the silver haired boy shouted to the bear.
" No! I can't abandon you guys!" Teddie wailed while shaking his head rapidly. Then the bear stepped in front of the others.
"Teddie what're you doing," Yosuke shouted.
"Wh-why am I stepping forward," the bear questioned his own actions.
"Teddie, you can't take that thing...," Yu's words died as he saw the bear starting to glow. "Teddie, what's happening to you," Yu asked now worried.
Teddie started to glow brighter. "I. I think I'm going bear-serk," Teddie said before the glow turned into a flaming aura.
"What's this high energy reading!?"Shadow Rise questioned. "Is it coming from that weird thing," the shadow wondered with worry.
"Teddie! The hell are you doing!?" Kanji shouted
"ROOOAAAWWR!" Teddie roared before jumping at Shadow Rise.
"TEDDIE!" Everyone yelled, before a bright flash forced them to shield their eyes.
When everyone were able to open their eyes again, they saw that Shadow Rise had reverted and looked unconcious. More importantly they saw Teddie on the floor, looking worse for wear. Seeing the bears condition, everyone forced themselves on their feet before running to the bear.
"Teddie, you okay," Viljam asked with worry.
"You could've died, you idiot," Kanji scolded the bear, though he was relieved to see the bear still alive.
"Did I... Did I help," Teddie asked weakly. His body was singed from here and there and there were a few tears, from which cotton threatened to come out. But the weirdest thing was, that somehow Teddie had become paper thin.
"Help?" Yosuke asked in disbelief. "You saved us," the Junes boy said.
"Neat...," the bear said as cheerfully as he could, given his condition. "I'm so glad... I didn't want to be alone anymore," Teddie said with relief.
"Teddie," Chie said with worry.
Teddie then managed to stand up with some effort, though how he was able to do that when he was paper thin, was beyond anyone. Then Teddie took a look at himself. "Wh-What in the world," the bear cried after seeing his state. "Nooo.." the bear wailed in misery. "My fine silky fur... I was so proud of it! WAAH!" the bear cried, which earned blanched looks from most of the team.
"You could've died and you're worried about your fur," Viljam voiced what everyone was thinking.
"Looks like he's going to be just fine," Yosuke shrugged. "...I guess," Yosuke added and with that everyone moved to Rise, who had been at a safe distance this whole time thanks to Teddie. Teddie was left behind.
"Rise-chan," Yukiko called to the teen idol, who was just regaining conciousness.
"Mmh...Where... am I," Rise asked. Then she remembered what happened. "I'm sorry... It's all my fault," the girl said sadly.
"It's not your fault," Yu said reassuringly.
"Maybe, but this was still done by 'me'," Rise said, before getting up and walking to her shadow that had finally opened it's eyes. "I'm sorry... You must've been in a lot of pain up to now," Rise said to her shadow. "You're a part of me that, but I kept refusing to admit that you exist," the girl continued. "I kept trying to figure out who the real me was, but I was on the wrong track. There is no real me," Rise said.
"There's...no real me," Teddie muttered from the side.
"You... Me... Even Risette... They're all me," Rise said.
With those words, Rise's shadow transformed. The form it took was a female figure with pitch black skin. Wearing a white dress. It's head looked to have a satellite dish, much more complicated than it's berserk form. It was also holding what looked like a crown with both hands. This is Rise's persona, Himiko.
After Himiko faded away, Rise turned back to others. Then the exhaustion took it's toll, but thankfully Yu caught her. "Are you alright, Rise-san," Yu asked in concern.
"I'm alright," Rise assured the silverhaired boy. Then a look of realization dawned on her face, when she recognized Yu. "Oh. You're the one who came to the store," the former idol said.
"Yeah, and these three came with me," Yu said while motioning towards the other three guys.
Rise glanced at the other three, before hes eyes fell upon Yosuke. "Oh yes, you're the guy who was put in his place," Rise said with a weak giggle.
At the mention of being "put in his place", Yosuke gave a light glare at the Finnish. "I was following orders," Viljam weakly defended.
Ignoring the two, Yu briefly introduced himself and the others.
"Thank you all," was all Rise could think of saying right now.
"We'll explain everything later, but for now we-," Chie's words died in her mouth when she turned around.
"What's wrong Chie," Yukiko asked the green clad girl, before her gaze fell upon what Chie was looking at.
"There's... no real me?" Teddie repeated Rise's words with an odd tone.
At this moment everyone else turned to the flattened bear. "What's wrong Teddie," Viljam asked the bear.
"There's... no real me?" Teddie repeated oblivious to others.
"H-hey Teddie," Kanji called the bear a little weirded out at the bear's behavior.
"No! Get back," Rise exclaimed startling everyone. "Something's coming out of him," Rise said.
"What," Yosuke asked.
"Real? Me?" Said a much more sinister version of Teddie's voice. Then a larger and much creepier version of Teddie appeared behind the flattened bear.
"What is that," Yosuke exclaimed at the sight.
"Don't tell me," Chie started as a certain thought came to mind. "Is that the other Teddie? Teddie's hidden thoughts," Chie questioned.
"I believe so, but I felt some a powerful presence intervene," Rise said, earnign Yu's attention.
"What do you mean, you 'felt'," The silverhaired boy asked.
However, Teddie finally got out of his inner monologue to see everyone's faces. "What's going on," the bear asked, while looking at everyone. Then Teddie realized that they were looking behind him, so he turned around to see. "W-Whoa!" Teddie exclaimed after seeing the creepy version of himself.
"The truth is unattainable," The other Teddie said. "It will always be shrouded in fog," the thing continued.
"What the heck is that thing talking about," Kanji exclaimed, not getting what the thing was babbling about.
"Though you reach out through the murk and gloom to grasp something, you have no means to know it is the truth...," The other Teddie said, ignoring Kanji. "In which case, why? What sense is there in yearning the truth," The shadow continued. "Close your eyes. Lie to yourself. Live in blissful ignorance. It is a much smarter way to exist," the thing said.
"Wh-What're you talking about!? I don't understand a word you're saying," Teddie stuttered. " You're just making it sound difficult because I'm not that smart," Teddie then retorted. "Maybe you just can't tell, but I'm thinking as hard as I can," Teddie shouted while patting his head for emphasis.
The other Teddie actually looked amused. "It is those efforts that I'm calling futile. You are hollow. empty," the thing said, giving Teddie an exclamation mark at the words."At your core, you know this, but you just cannot accept it. So you seek an alternate form... a denial of your true nature," the thing continued, causing Teddie more distress. "You have no lost memories. If you have forgotten anything, it is this truth," The other Teddie said, which made Teddie want to cry.
"Th-That's a lie," Teddie said sadly.
"Shall I spell it out for you? You are but a mere-," "I SAID SHUT UP!" Teddie interrupted his other self, before charging at it. Unfortunately the bear was easily swatted away.
"TEDDIE!" Yukiko cried out.
The other Teddie turned back to the rest of the team. "It is the same for you all. You undergo suffering, because of your search for the truth. How can you find something, when you do not know what it is you're searching for," the thing said mockingly.
Yu let go of Rise, before stepping forward. "What do you mean by that," Yu asked the thing, which only chuckled at the question.
"I never tire of observing fools like yourselves. Then I will grant you one truth: You will all die here," The other Teddie said, before it began to transform. "You sought the truth, only to find Death."
Yosuke gritted his teeth as he saw the other Teddie transform. "Dammit! How're we supposed to fight something like this without Teddie," Yosuke said worriedly as he took a glance at the bear that was knocked out from being swatted.
" It's alright, get ready everyone," Rise said with newfound determination.
This earned a shocked look from others. "Hey!" Chie exclaimed in disbelief. "Don't tell me you're going to fight with us! You can't take it," the green clad girl said in concern. Rise just got her persona, she shouldn't be well enough for combat.
"I'm okay, I should be able to take that bear's place," Rise said, before summoning her persona. Rise's persona quickly put the crown looking thing she was holding over Rise's eyes. "It's my turn to save you all," the former idol said.
Yu nodded. "Alright then. Guys keep that thing away from Rise-san," Yu said, to which everyone else nodded and readied themselves for battle.
By this time, Shadow Teddie had finished it's transformation. It had grown gigantic, but it was in some kind of hole. It's hands had grown claws and the face was cracked, with pieces missing. "I am a shadow... The true self... I shall give you the 'truth' you all claim to hold so dear. The inescapable fact of your death here!" Shadow Teddie said menacingly.
"Was that thing really inside our Teddie," Chie wondered, still having a hard time believing that a monster like this was lurking within the hyperactive bear they call a friend.
"Guess he was more troubled than we thought," Yosuke said, feeling somewhat guilty for dismissing Teddie's worries.
"We can all apologize to him, once we beat this thing," Kanji said before summoning his persona to attack.
Shadow Teddie smacked Take away, but that only staggered the massive persona. "Foolish beings. Accept your death with dignity and grace," the monster taunted them.
"Ei huvita," Viljam said, summoning Louhi as Yu and Chie also summoned their personas.
"BUFULA!"
"BLACK SPOT!"
"ZIONGA!"
All three attacks connected and Shadow Teddie cried in pain. "MARAKUNDA!" the shadow cast a spell on the party.
"You're defense has been lowered, be careful," Rise warned from the sidelines.
Viljam answered with a Tarunda to lower the shadow's attack. "That should even the odds a little," the Finnish boy said, as Yosuke gave Yu a Sukukaja, While Yukiko fired Agilao on the shadow.
The shadow slammed the ground causing a shockwave that hit the party. Others endured it, but Viljam was downed from the attack, for the attack was physical.
Chie quickly ran towards the downed boy. "Come on get up," the green clad girl said as she pulled him up.
"Sorry," Viljam apologized.
"MIND CHARGE!" the shadow focused.
"It's going for a big attack!" Rise warned everyone.
"Brace yourselves," Yu ordered and everyone did as they were told.
"MABUFULA!" And there came the ice spell. Thankfully the party was able to guard against most of it. As soon as the attack had passed Yukiko used Mediarama to heal everyone.
"FOOLISH WHISPER!" Everyone was prepared for whatever would happen next. When none of them felt any different, they thought that the shadow failed.
"Yukiko-san's and Kanji-kun's personas have been sealed," Rise warned them.
"Say what!?" Yosuke exclaimed. Kanji wasn't much of a problem, but Yukiko is their healer.
Yukiko too would've yelled something, but she couldn't make a sound.
"Guess, we have to be more careful until they recover," Viljam muttered.
Shadow Teddie then lifted it's left paw and started to charge energy into it.
"What's it doing this time," Yosuke asked, having a bad feeling about this.
"It's charging another attack! Don't try to dodge, just block it," Rise answered.
"Block!? You're asking us to block something like that?," Kanji shouted in disbelief, before he realized something. "Hey! My voice is back," Kanji exclaimed.
This caused everyone to glance at Yukiko hopefully, but the black haired girl only shook her head. Her voice was still gone.
"Here it comes," Yu suddenly shouted. Everyone braced themselves to block the attack.
"NIHIL HAND!" Shadow Teddie swiped it's paw, sending an energy wave at the party.
"Huh? That didn't hurt at all," Chie said, wondering how she was unhurt. As was everyone else.
"You'd think an attack like that would at least leave a mark," Yosuke also pointed out.
"It's TV World, don't question it," Viljam reminded him, before recasting Tarunda on Shadow Teddie.
"That would be best for our sanity," Yu agreed, as he used a Mind Charged Agilao against Shadow Teddie.
"Why do you keep struggling. Even should you win, naught but suffering awaits you," Shadow Teddie questioned the party, before casting another Mabufula.
The Party was able to take it, with Viljam stepping in front of Yukiko to take the hit for her too with gritted teeth.
"Nousku-kun!" Yukiko shouted. Then she realized her voice was back. Which means..."MEDIARAMA!".
"Perfect timing, Yukiko," Chie cheered, before hitting the shadow with another Black Spot.
The shadow was preparing to charge another Nihil Hand. "Here it comes again," Kanji said.
Yu had a light bulb go off in his head. "Nousku, come here for a moment," the silverhaired boy called and Viljam came to him. Yu whispered something in Viljam's ear which made the Finnish boy's eyes widen, before an evil smile appeared on his face.
"Oh! Great idea," Viljam said, before turning to Chie and Kanji. "Chie-san, Kanji, come with me," the Finnish boy called them.
"What? Why," Chie questioned. Kanji too had a questioning look.
"Don't ask just go," Yu ordered and without further ado, the two bruisers went with Viljam.
The three had ran around Shadow Teddie to a point where they were closest to the charging hand. "Ok guys, the moment the sickle sticks, summon your personas and help me yank," Viljam informed them before spinning the sickle end of his weapon to gather momentum.
" What good is that gonna do," Chie questioned. "Wouldn't we just pull the hand right on top of us," the green clad girl asked. It was true, in the position they were in the hand would be yanked right on top of them.
"That's not the plan, we're just stopping it from swiping," Viljam explained before throwing the sickle at the hand and the blade stuck in. "Alright, I got it. TAKE IT AWAY, YU-SAN!" Viljam shouted the last part towards Yu, who immediately cast a Mind Charge.
"Amagi, at my signal fire your strongest spell at it's hand with me," Yu said to the red clad girl, who only prepared herself in response.
While this was happening Shadow Teddie was ready to swipe, but Chie and Kanji summoned their personas to grab the chain of Viljam's weapon and pulled with all their might.
"What!?" The shadow exclaimed. It didn't think the three humans even with their personas had the strength to stop it from swiping. While the two personas were struggling to hold the hand, Viljam cast Rakunda on the shadow in preparation of what's to come.
"NOW!" Yu shouted and fired a Zionga with Izanagi, followed by Yukiko's Agilao. As a result of two spells, the energy gathered into the hand exploded, taking the shadow's hand.
"RRRRRAAAAAAAAGHHH!" the thing cried in pain.
"It's weakened! Finish it off," Rise cheered.
With that everyone ordered their personas for one more assault.
Louhi and Konohana Sakuya fired their respective elemental attacks. Take Mikazuchi punched Shadow Teddie straight in the face causing cracks in it's face. Tomoe kicked a different area of the face causing more cracks. Jiraiya threw his shurikens into the cracks causing the face to shatter completely, revealing black mass behind it. Izanagi stabbed the black mass, which caused the shadow to revert.
"We did it!" Chie cheered offering a high five, which Viljam responded immediately.
"Yeah, but is Teddie alright," Yukiko wondered as she turned towards the direction the flattened bear was flung earlier. Everyone rushed to the bear's location, except Yu who helped Rise to stay standing.
"Teddie, you okay," Kanji asked the flattened bear, who regained conciousness.
"Even you had a hidden side," Chie half asked the bear, who looked down in shame.
Viljam looked guilty for some reason. "Teddie, I'm sorry about falling asleep when you were pouring your heart out. I know that saying it now is a little late, but I hope you won't hate me for it," The Finnish boy apologized to the bear. Now that it was revealed that Teddie had a hidden side, Viljam felt bad for not even considering that the bear could be genuinely troubled, when he took an impromptu nap.
The bear in question looked grateful at the Finnish boy's words before actually hugging him. This act earned slightly widened eyes from others, Viljam on the other hand just hugged the flattened bear back lightly. Then they released the hug. Teddie then turned towards his shadow. "I...don't know who I am...," The bear said with difficulty, the shadow only stared back blankly. "I've thought a number of times... that maybe there is no answer. But I'm here I live here" Teddie continued.
By this time Yu had reached Teddie while supporting Rise lightly," Teddie, I'm sure the answer is out there somewhere. Waiting for you to find it," the silverhaired boy said reassuringly, earning Teddie's attention.
"Sensei... Will I really find it," Teddie asked with hope, gaining a firm nod from Yu as a result.
"Dude, we'll help you figure it out," Yosuke added in.
Yukiko too felt like she needed to say something," I'm sure well find out more about you as we continue investigating this world.".
Teddie glanced at everyone who all had a look of support on their faces. "You guys...,"Teddie said, like he was on the verge of tears. "I'm such a lucky bear," Teddie managed to say before he started crying. Actually crying. At this moment, Teddie's shadow began to glow blue, which earned shocked looks from others. Then the shadow transformed.
The form it took was a spherical red mechanical thing with stubby arms and legs with a closed hatch on it's body. It wore a blue cape and was carrying a Tomahawk missile. This is Teddie's persona, Kintoki Douji.
As the persona faded, Teddie could only stare the area it once occupied in wonder. "Is this my persona?" the flattened bear asked in wonder.
"I can sense a strong power from it," Rise said weakly. "It's awesome, Teddie," Rise was able to say, before she slumped, forcing Yu to carry all of her weight.
Now everyone were concerned. "Whoah you okay," Chie asked, before remembering something. "Oh, crap. Your persona has just awoken, you must be completely worn out," the green clad girl said with concern.
"I'm alright," Rise said tiredly.
Yu shook his head. "No you're not. Let's get you out of here," the silverhaired boy said and with that, they went to leave the TV world.
(TV World[lobby]. few minutes later)
"Are you sure you're okay," Yukiko asked Rise.
"Yes. I'm more worried about Teddie," Rise replied.
"You okay there, Ted," Kanji asked Teddie, who despite being in the banged state he was, seemed to be relatively alright.
"I wanna be alone for a while," Teddie said, surprising everyone.
"Why," Yosuke asked with slight concern.
"My beautiful fur is all rough and coarse, and my nose hasn't been working too well either," Teddie explained before dropping down. "So until my fur grows back, I'm gonna train hard," Teddie said with determination as he began to do sit ups.
"What's gotten into you," Yosuke asked not sure how to react.
"Dont. Talk. To me. Please," Teddie grunted as he continued his training.
"Leave the dude be," Kanji sighed. "There comes a time when a man has to stand on his own two feet," the punk said.
"I guess," Viljam muttered. "Do your best, Teddie," Viljam encouraged Teddie.
"Chie and I can take Rise-chan home," Yukiko told Yu, who was still supporting the girl.
Yu thought for a moment. "Okay, I'm counting on you two," Yu said before passing Rise to Yukiko and Chie.
"On another note," Viljam then spoke. "I'm just happy we're out of there now," the Finnish boy said with a smile.
Yosuke had a smirk at the comment. "You going to have sweet dreams tonight," the Junes boy joked, emphasizing the word sweet. As soon as Yosuke finished his sentence, he got kicked in the groin by Chie. "Wh-Why!?" Yosuke wailed as he slumped down in pain.
"Because Rise-chan is safe now, so we don't need you," Chie said in annoyance, earning confused looks from others and a hurt one from Yosuke.
Then Viljam remembered the conversation they had yesterday. "Oh right! I did tell you to hold the punishment until we rescued Rise-san," Viljam exclaimed while rubbing his head in embarrassment for forgetting. Now Yosuke had a look of shock on his face.
"You two planned this!?" Yosuke asked in shocked horror from his position.
"That's what you get for trying to corrupt Nousku-kun," Chie said with a huff. " Come on Yukiko, let's get out of here before he does something else. You too, Nousku-kun," Chie said, before assisting Yukiko in taking Rise out of here. Viljam followed suit, after muttering a quick apology to Yosuke. Sure Yosuke might've done something he didn't like, but he still felt sorry for the treatment he received.
"How the heck did I become the victim," Yosuke complained weakly.
"Women are scary," Kanji said, before assisting Yosuke outside.
Yu glanced at Teddie, who didn't stop his training during the commotion. "See you later Teddie," Yu said, before moving to leave.
"I've said this before," Teddie said, regaining Yu's attention. "But I can sense something special about you, Sensei. There must be something that only I can do, that's how I feel when I'm with Sensei," Teddie said between sit ups. "That's why I'm gonna get stronger! To find my special thing," Teddie said with fire in his eyes.
"Do your best," Yu said before moving out. Rise was safe, but the mystery of this case is only deepening. Hopefully the girl can provide some new insight, but for now she needs to rest.
Author's notes:
I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Though I must say, when it comes to word count, this is a new record for me.
(1) Romaji, means japanese words written with alphabets. Handy thing if you can't even read hiragana or katakana.
Translations:
Tuo kostetaan = That will be avenged
Entäs tämä = How about this
Ei huvita = Don't feel like it (or that's the closest thing I can come up with)